Ep. 222 Monarch Butterfly Conservation: Should You Rear Them Indoors? | #GoodGrowing

In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, horticulture educator Chris Enroth from University of Illinois Extension explores the adversaries of the monarch butterfly, including the controversial practice of captive rearing.Although we do not recommend captive rearing, there may be times when it is wanted for educational purposes. Can it be done responsibly? Chris shares best practices for raising monarch caterpillars indoors. Instead of captive rearing, support habitat conservation efforts! Learn how programs like Monarch Waystations and pollinator gardens can help restore critical habitat.Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/Yfzxnvpco0M00:32 The dangers encountered by monarch butterflies   02:07 Predators!   02:17 Disease!03:18 A historic shift in habitat for monarch butterflies04:04 Introducing the concept of captive rearing of monarch butterflies07:17 Why captive rearing is not recommended   07:27 A loss of fitness   09:21 Artificially overpopulating an area with monarch butterflies10:38 If you are STILL going to captive rear monarch butterflies, here are some tips.   11:44 What to feed your monarch caterpillars (cats)   14:21 What type of container to use   14:57 Placement of rearing cage   15:14 Check and clean containers daily   15:42 The stages (instars) of the caterpillar   16:11 The walkabout and final molt into a chrysalis   18:19 Emergence of the adult butterfly from the chrysalis   18:51 Releasing the adult   19:00 Not everything works out with the rearing process   19:19 Don't handle monarch caterpillars   19:51 How many caterpillars are responsible for rearing?21:53 If captive rearing is discouraged, what can be done to help monarch butterflies?23:49 efforts to support monarch butterfly habitat24:32 Monarch Waystation Program29:15 Upcoming Monarch Migration Festival. Thank you and see you next week!Monarch Migration Festival, Sept 6, 2025 https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2025-09-06-11th-annual-monarch-migration-festivalXerces Society Keep Monarchs Wild https://www.xerces.org/blog/keep-monarchs-wildMonarch Butterfly Science w/ Dr. Andy Davis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIt-zkivDjIMonarch Butterfly Status Update w/ Brodie Dunn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmqQlyPY1TAUniversity of Illinois Extension Pollinator Pockets https://extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/pollinator-pocketsUniversity of Illinois Extension Pollinator Website https://illinoispollinators.org/Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribeAny products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk --You can find us on most podcast platforms.  iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377     Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR    Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/    Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/    Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902    Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us